city lights (jesper_kyd_-_city_lights.mod)

Overall Impression (8/10)

I`m always liked such a simple but atmospheric music. As I`m a composer too I found this mod very inspiring. It have a nice samples/instruments set. Some parts maybe sounding spontaneous, anyway the full work is very pleasing to listen. And again, it`s from the early 90s - golden era of the electronic music, the most inspiring period for me.

Technique, Arrangement, Composition (7/10)

I know maestro J.Kyd as a true master of the mod/FM music and real electronic/cinematic/orchestra soundtracks (MDK2, Hitman, Assassins Creed series, etc.). First works I heard in my childhood were the fantastic OSTs for the great old games Sub-Terrania (1993), Adventures of Batman and Robin (1995) for the Sega MD. It shown just an incredible music skill in making of the ambient/hard-techno/rave electronic music. This track (1990-91) is a contemporary pop ballad/lo-fi chillout/modern jazz and for the genre its sounds way more simple. Such music just don`t need a super skills, but you need a nice feel of the atmosphere of the image you want to show to the listeners and good skills for the improvising playing (jazzy roots).

Development (6/10)

There is not a lot of the sounds/instruments, but me like them all, esp. clean and powerful snares and a bit noisy harmonic pad chords (really sweet authentic retro sound). I don`t know why the pad wasn`t placed into the center maybe the technique limitations (as I remember the Amiga couldn`t able to produce the sound in the center). I think that with a pad in the center the track would be sounding more natural. All instruments on my ears are sounding in balance and comfortable. Maybe only the emptiness in the center is a bit disturbing.

Creativity (7/10)

As I said it`s not a complex but very simple track. Simple prolonged jazzy, sax-like melody for the regular pop ballad/lo-fi chillout brings some of the romantic pieces in the dark "night" mix. Me really like it! Good idea indeed. Some parts of it reminded me the melodies from the Sub-Terrania game OST, almost the same FM-sound, I think.

Enjoyment (8/10)

Sure, this dreamy, romantic, jazzy chillout will be in my collection of favorites on my PC too. It`s very inspiring work with its atmosphere of the empty (or with a few other people) night city without the car traffic, maybe some of the autumn rain on the background ...

Additional Comment

Very glad it was composed one of my all the time fav music composers. Thank You, Mr. Kyd =)